The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-14
Mr.. DAVIS At MERIDIAN.
HE IL TEMPERED A DELIGHTFUL
BANQUET AND RECEP ZION,
At Which He Makes Some Very
Beautiful and Pathetic
Remarks.

NEW ORLEANS, La, May ia spa
cia TO the Picdyune from Meridian,
Miss, says: At IL o'clock yesterday |
morning a publ c reception was given
to Mr.. Jefferson Davis at the residence
OF Col. ]. r. Mcintosh, where he is
stopping. For two hours a perfect
su cam Of people passed through the
parlors and shook hands with the ex-
CHI eitain and his beAut ful daughter.
Mr.. Davis was in his best humor, and
had pleasant word for esch'one that
shook mis- hand. Ats o'clock Iasteven-
log banquet and reception was eivtn
in the courthouse grounds. Mr.. Davis
made shoit address in which he
tha liked the pc ople Of Meridian for
their most cordial Ie,eption. At this
point members OF the Press Associa-
ton asCended the platform in body
and presented their respects 10 him.
At the banquet there we're 300 plates,
and seated at the tables were the most
distinguished men OF the State.
A foral wreath was brought
in, and e. II. Dial presented
IL to Mr.. Davis in the name OF the
women of Meridian. Mr.. Davis, In &C.
cepting 1t, said: "God has gaaced the
south with beautiful flowers and lovely
women. The most blessed Of women
are those of our own Southland. With
such feeling expressions the beautiful
dowers, which were arranged so ar
tistically by loving hand, are more
beautiful than any thing that has been
given to me-" The second toast was
to Jefferson Davis, the soldier, state g.
man and champion OF Southern
rights." II was responded to by the
Hon. Thomas II. Woods. When M.
Davis rose to reply he was gree ted
with long continued applause. He
began by apologE ng for the short ad-
dress he should make them, and said
that he was quits fatigued from the
days exercises. Continuing, he said !:
81 am unable to treat this
theme ss it should Re without
generalization. What was the army and
navy of the South? 1t was the patri-
otism OF persons who bsred their
breasts to bullets In defending a con,
stitutional right. With great navies
and armies against US, we formed II gi-
ments and bsttalions. at their head
VIC placed Lee as their comma nder.
We remember the scenes when the
wife, as she threw her arms around
her husband, and the daughters gath
ering in loving embrace Ground those
that were to 20, and then the
widowed mother, as che let the Il ar
drops fall on the face .of the devoted
son she would never see again, and
girdled his sword to bis waist and told
him to go forth as his father would
have done. Those we're the kind IT
men we had. With interior humble 9
OF men we marched onward, fig ting
for our rights, and battle at or
battle was fought aud won,
but the Northern historic as never
conceded that and INDUCED in tri-
umphs of mind over matter. But
now thoee scenes and incidents have
passed and they only live in minds
aud history. United you are now and
and II the Union is ever to be broken,
let the other sids break it. Ths army
OF the South will shine brewer around
the camp fires and will still shine to
our children and children's children.
The truths we fought tor shall not
encourage you to fight sgsin; but
keep your word in good or evil. God
bless you ALL"